WSJ: US round-up: https://www.wsj.com/articles/coronavirus-latest-news-08-06-2020-11596702442 . News on Germany, UK, India and Philippines in last 4 paragraphs.
AstraZeneca strikes vaccine deal with China: https://www.wsj.com/articles/astrazeneca-strikes-deal-to-produce-covid-19-vaccine-for-china-11596739112 .
Thousands volunteer for vaccine studies: https://khn.org/news/test-sites-quickly-attract-thousands-for-covid-19-vaccine-study/ .
Data protection: Census: https://ipums.org/2020census . I have used IPUMS data occasionally in the past, perhaps you have as well. I received an email from them today asking users to contact their Senators and Congresspeople to advocate for a bill extending the time to collect census data; this is the first time I have received anything approaching a political position from them. I agree with Ed’s prior emails concerning data protection; this issue deserves the consideration and support of the actuarial community.
Study focuses on loss of sense of taste and smell in UK healthcare workers as COVID-19 marker: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanmic/article/PIIS2666-5247(20)30096-3/fulltext . Smell training is a real thing: https://www.fifthsense.org.uk/smell-training/ .
WSJ: Latest on relief package: https://www.wsj.com/articles/democrats-say-trumps-powers-are-limited-on-coronavirus-stimulus-11596738917 .
The loss of the $600 weekly PUA benefit: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2020-08-06/my-worst-nightmare-laid-workers-endure-loss-of-600-aid?src=usn_nl_coronavirus . An important tidbit in here is that the average weekly unemployment benefit is under $400, which certainly puts the additional $600 in perspective. Also, the article correctly notes that the value of employee benefits like health care is an important incentive for people to work, even for low pay.
The return of Zorro: World Mask Week: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2020/08/07/cdc-launches-global-mask-movement-encourage-use-face-masks-worldmaskweek/3311457001/ .
Covered California announces record low rate increase for 2021: https://www.desertsun.com/story/news/health/2020/08/04/covered-california-announces-record-low-rate-hike-for-2021/3293860001/ . Covered California website: https://www.coveredca.com/what-is-covered-california/#:~:text=Covered%20California%20is%20a%20free,Protection%20and%20Affordable%20Care%20Act.&text=That%20means%20when%20you%20apply,the%20state’s%20Medi%2DCal%20program. Coverage data: https://www.coveredca.com/newsroom/news-releases/2019/12/18/covered-california-releases-new-enrollment-data-and-issues-reports-on-five-years-of-improving-affordability-access-and-accountability/#:~:text=A%20total%20of%20230%2C000%20consumers,million%20plan%20selections%20for%202020.
WSJ: Executive order to increase domestic drug production: https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-to-sign-executive-order-to-boost-u-s-production-of-essential-medicine-11596723074 .
WSJ: Latin American GDP to decline 9.4% this year: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-derails-latin-americas-bid-for-middle-class-prosperity-11596728203 .
The science of loneliness: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/aug/06/loneliness-cure-pill-research-scientists . A timely discussion during global lockdowns. There seem to be significant health implications here.
Why are plants green?: https://www.quantamagazine.org/why-are-plants-green-to-reduce-the-noise-in-photosynthesis-20200730/ . This is a very striking explanation of the value of stability; it’s really interesting that coloration’s “reflection” of stability has an evolutionary basis.